Change Your Diaper!
Bridgette sent this video to me last night with no note or explanation and I thought….why? Was she telling me that I’m a baby? Was it that she thinks I poop my pants? Or maybe she just loves babies and thought I would think this was totally cool. I must admit…this is pretty cool, but it kinda stinks too. (No pun intended) Why did it take so long to do this?
Then & Now Contest
Found a cool website contest I wanted to share! YoungmeNowme is a collection of photographs of people re-staging photographs from their childhood! Submit yours today. Check it out!
Momma Always Said “Stupid Is As Stupid Does”
It’s Brain Awareness Month, so here’s a few ways you can start increasing your intelligence today!
Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle. If you use it often and in the right ways, you will become a more skilled thinker and increase your ability to focus. But if you never use your brain, or abuse it with harmful chemicals, your ability to think and learn will deteriorate.
Here are 5 simple ways anyone can squeeze a bit more productivity out of the old gray matter.
1. Minimize Television Watching – This is a hard sell. People love vegetating in front of the television, myself included more often than I’d like. The problem is watching television doesn’t use your mental capacity OR allow it to recharge. It’s like having the energy sapped out of a muscle without the health benefits of exercise.
Don’t you feel drained after a couple hours of TV? Your eyes are sore and tired from being focused on the light box for so long. You don’t even have the energy to read a book.
When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If you’re too tired, listen to some music. When you’re with your friends or family, leave the tube off and have a conversation. All of these things use your mind more than television and allow you to relax.
2. Exercise – I used to think that I’d learn more by not exercising and using the time to read a book instead. But I realized that time spent exercising always leads to greater learning because it improves productivity during the time afterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a wave of energy. Afterwards, you feel invigorated and can concentrate more easily.
3. Read Challenging Books – Many people like to read popular suspense fiction, but generally these books aren’t mentally stimulating. If you want to improve your thinking and writing ability you should read books that make you focus. Reading a classic novel can change your view of the world and will make you think in more precise, elegant English. Don’t be afraid to look up a word if you don’t know it, and don’t be afraid of dense passages. Take your time, re-read when necessary, and you’ll soon grow accustomed to the author’s style.
Once you get used to reading challenging books, I think you’ll find that you aren’t tempted to go back to page-turners. The challenge of learning new ideas is far more exciting than any tacky suspense-thriller.
4. Early to Bed, Early to Rise – Nothing makes it harder to concentrate than sleep deprivation. You’ll be most rejuvenated if you go to bed early and don’t sleep more than 8 hours. If you stay up late and compensate by sleeping late, you’ll wake up lethargic and have trouble focusing. In my experience the early morning hours are the most tranquil and productive. Waking up early gives you more productive hours and maximizes your mental acuity all day.
If you have the opportunity, take 10-20 minute naps when you are hit with a wave of drowsiness. Anything longer will make you lethargic, but a short nap will refresh you.
5. Take Time to Reflect – Often our lives get so hectic that we become overwhelmed without even realizing it. It becomes difficult to concentrate because nagging thoughts keep interrupting. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a chance organize your thoughts and prioritize your responsibilities. Afterwards, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s important and what isn’t. The unimportant stuff won’t bother you anymore and your mind will feel less encumbered.
I’m not saying you need to sit on the floor cross-legged and chant ‘ommm’. Anything that allows a bit of prolonged solitude will do. One of my personal favorites is taking a solitary walk. Someone famous said, “All the best ideas occur while walking.” I think he was on to something. Experiment to find the activity that works best for you.
Conclusion – I hope you aren’t disappointed that none of the techniques I’ve proposed are revolutionary. But simple, unexciting answers are often the most valid. The challenge is having the will to adhere to them. If you succeed in following these 5 tips, you’ll be rewarded with increased mental acuity and retention of knowledge.
If you’re still hungry for more, check out the follow up post: 5 More Ways to Make the Most of Your Intelligence.
Don’t Be Crabby!
Today is National Crab Meat Day! Yes…theirs a day in which we celebrate the crustaceans of all shapes and sizes! Here’s a few delectable dishes that you can really get your pincher around!
Pickled Dungeness Crab
Mirliton, Choyote Or Vegetable Pear Casserole With Crabmeat
Peppery Stuffed Crab
Thai Crab Salad Phyllo Cups
Stir-Fried Crab Curry (Poo Pad Pong Garee)
Corn And Crab In Pastry
Cape Cod Crab-Stuffed Tomatoes
Chili Crab
Crab Quiche Squares
Mini Bagels With Crab Spread
Creole Spiced Blue Crabs With Green Onion Dipping Sauce
Bite Sized Crab Or Tuna Fish Balls Northern Neck Stuffed Crab
Crab A La King
Crabmeat Curls Appetizers
Crab And Avocado Cocktail
Crab Crepes
Crab Stuffed Poblano Chiles With Mango Salsa
Crab Crepes With Shrimp Sauce
Colorful Crab Appetizer Pizza
Creamy Crab On Corn Pancakes
Grilled Crabmeat Flautas
Crab Waffle
Crab Stuffed Jalapenos
Connecticut Crab Puffs
I Am Woman!
Today is International Women’s Day! Click Here for the official page in celebration of women all over the globe!
“You Gonna Eat That?”
Scientists at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation analyzed 51 different frozen foods regularly found in grocery stores and supermarkets. Their research proved that foods retain their nutritional value during freezing. Substantial and highly beneficial amounts of no less than 21 essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients were found in these products. Freezing, per se, does not injure vitamins. Air exposure is much more destructive, particularly to volatile nutrients such as vitamin C and thiamine.
If you’re like me sometimes you put stuff in your freezer and forget to cook it. Is it still safe to eat?
How long will frozen food keep?
- Frozen dinners — three to four months
- Ground beef and turkey — three months
- Bacon, unopened — one month
- Roasts — six to twelve months
- Whole fish — five to six months
- Fish fillets — four to five months
- Shellfish — four to six months
- Whole chicken or turkey — twelve months
- Chicken or turkey pieces — nine months
- Cooked poultry — four months
Big Joe & Bridgette Video(2/9/10)
20 Family Websites
The 20 most useful websites for children and families
CBeebies
www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies
Games, stories and updates on every under-six’s essential viewing.
Haring Kids
www.haringkids.com
Wonderful interactive site by Keith Haring, an artist who loved children – activities, stories, animations and an addictive online coloring book.
Need2Know
www.need2know.co.uk
Sound, straightforward and well-judged advice for children and teenagers.
How Stuff Works
www.howstuffworks.com
Engaging encyclopedia of the modern (and not so modern) world, with good illustrations and clear text.
K2xl
www.k2xl.com
Addictive series of Flash games including the hypnotically soothing Boomshine.
Habbo
www.habbo.co.uk
Social networking for teens.
Cruel 2 B Kind
www.cruelgame.com
Like Assassins but you have to do nice things to people.
Friction TV
www.friction.tv
A You Tube-style site for campaigners. Make a short video and get your message across.
Mr Men
www.mrmen.com
Videos, games, stories and more from 24 of Roger Hargreaves’ unbeatable creations.
Nickelodeon
www.nick.com
Play games, share your avatar, download screensavers and catch up on your favorite cartoon characters at the Mecca of TV cartoondom. Plus Nick Junior (www.nickjr.co.uk), customized for pre-schoolers.
Seussville
www.seussville.com
A gentle celebration of all things Cat In The Hat.
Switch Zoo
switchzoo.com/zoo.htm
From a calligator to a dogophant, create crazy new animals online.
Guinness World Records
www.guinnessworldrecords.com
Searchable database of record-breaking feats – but only some, of course, they still want you to buy the book.
Innocent Kids
www.innocentkids.co.uk
Great series of games and activities from the smoothies people. Match the animal with its poo is particularly engaging.
Cool Reads
www.cool-reads.co.uk
Ten- to 15-year-olds pick and review their favorite books. More than 2,000 entries and growing.
Funology
www.funology.com
From Brain Drains to Boredom Busters, jokes, games and interesting factoids – with a little learning along the way.
Top Marks
www.topmarks.co.uk
Well designed and good fun reference site for all those homework queries.
Ask Kids
www.askkids.com
Safe search engine for children.
And two for parents…
Bad Mothers Club
www.badmothersclub.co.uk
Meeting the ups and downs of parenting head-on
Traveling with Children
www.travellingwithchildren.co.uk
Tips, products and destinations for taking the little darlings on the road
The Crying Wife
All I can say is OMG! You have to see this woman, click here
Lights Out? What To Do?
With all the power outages lately, here’s some tips that might help if it happens again.
What to do When the Lights Go Out
Power Outage
How can I survive a power outage?
- Never use open combustion units (gas or charcoal barbecues, hibachis) inside the home.
- If traffic lights go out, treat all intersections as 4-way stops. It’s required by law for safety.
- Minimize driving to conserve fuel. You cannot refill the tank during a power outage.
- Stay away from downed power lines and sagging trees with broken limbs.
What’s the first thing I should do when the lights go out?
Turn off lights and electrical appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer. Even if it is dark, turn light switches, buttons on lamps or appliances to the “off” position.
- After you turn the lights off, turn one lamp on so you will know when power is restored. Wait at least 15 minutes after power is restored before turning on other appliances.
What should I do if a power line falls down?
- Don’t touch or get near any fallen lines.
- Stay away from objects or puddles in contact with downed power lines.
- Notify the utility company.
Will my gas heater work?
No. Thermostats, furnace fans and blowers all run on electricity.
How can I stay warm?
- Wear extra layers of clothes and use several layers of blankets.
- Do not get wet if there is no way to get dry.
- Drink and eat enough to preserve health.
- Close off all rooms that are not in use and do not need to be heated.
- To keep rooms warm, close curtains, shades or drapes. Cover doors and windows.
How can I safely use alternate heat sources?
- Do not burn anything inside your home without adequate ventilation to the outdoors.
- Have enough fuel available for alternate heat sources, such as wood for a wood stove.
- Never use gas ovens, gas ranges, barbecues, and most portable or propane heaters for indoor heating. These units use oxygen and create carbon monoxide that can cause suffocation.
- Before using an alternate heat source, read the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Have firefighting materials: dry powder, fire extinguisher, heavy tarp or blanket, water available.
How should a portable generator be used?
- Use generators only as independent power sources. Keep them outside and run a cord inside. Don’t connect generators to main service panels. This could injure or kill utility workers trying to restore power.
How do I keep food safe?
- Use foods that spoil rapidly first.
- Keep cold food cold. Use dry ice or an ice chest. In winter, store food outside.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to conserve cold air.
- If food is cold to touch, it is probably safe to keep, use or refreeze.
- Discard meat, seafood, dairy products and cooked food that are not cold to touch.
- Fruits, vegetables and food in undamaged cans are safe.
- Food that needs no refrigeration: jelly, butter, margarine, ketchup, mustard, pickles, relish.
- If in doubt, throw it out.
- For information on food safety, call your health department or cooperative extension service.
How do you treat contaminated water?
If the water from your tap is clear:
- Boil it for 3 minutes. This kills disease-causing bacteria and parasites,
OR - Add 1/8 teaspoon household bleach per gallon of water. Let it sit for 1/2 hour.
If water is cloudy –
- Pour it through a coffee filter and boil it for 3 minutes.
- If you cant boil it, filter it and add 1/4 teaspoon of bleach per gallon. Let it sit for 1 hour.
How do I operate my electric garage door opener?
- Operate the door by hand. Read the owner’s manual or call the manufacturer.
Are there special considerations for people with chronic health problems?
- Yes. Talk to your doctor about an emergency supply of prescription medicine. Keep a 30 day supply in your emergency kit. Be aware of the expiration date on the medication and rotate a fresh supply into the kit on a regular basis. If you are on life support, please fill out UEC’s Life Support Notification Form, and have a backup power supply on hand.
What do I need to prepare for the next power outage?
Polls
Loading ...
Something To Think About
Our Partners
Friday, 03 September 2010 06:20
5 DAY
FORCAST
click here
